How to Get Lint Off of Polyester From Sweaters

Polyester is a synthetic fabric that’s durable and can withstand a lot of wear and tear. This doesn’t mean that it doesn’t attract lint. If you wash a polyester garment with sweaters or other lint-forming items, don’t be surprised if the garment is covered in lint when you take it out of the machine. You can remove lint on polyester quickly without rewashing the garment.

Things You'll Need

Lint roller, masking tape or packaging tape

Clothes hanger

Hand-held whisk broom

Sweater stone

Remove lint from polyester when the fabric is dry. Trying to get the lint off wet fabric is much more difficult.

Move a lint roller across the fabric to pick up as much loose lint as possible. Once the sticky strip from the lint roller becomes filled, replace it with a new one. If you don’t have a lint roller, wrap packaging tape or masking tape around your fingers and use the sticky side of the tape to remove the lint.

Hang the polyester garment securely by a hanger and use a hand-held whisk broom to remove any remaining lint. Brush the broom lightly across the fabric in a back and forth motion to “sweep” the lint away. Follow up with a sticky lint roller to remove any traces of lint.

Use a sweater stone for stubborn lint or pilling on your polyester garments. Despite its name, a sweater stone can be used on pants or shirts. Brush it along the garment in one direction to pick up the lint. Use your hands to remove the lint from the sweater stone as it accumulates.

Tips & Warnings

A disposable razor can also be used to remove lint from polyester clothing. Run the razor lightly over the clothing to remove the lint.